The family of the late Olympic silver medallist Mbulaheni Mulaudzi has demanded that a vandalised, unfinished stadium named in his honour be renamed, saying they no longer want their hero's name associated with shoddy work and possible corruption.
Family spokesperson Joseph Maphaha said they were deeply disappointed that their son's name had been linked to the failed project in Muduluni. "As a family, we need this stadium to be renamed or called by another name, not our son's name," he said, adding that the family had never been involved in the project.
He said the government had promised to take care of the stadium after it was named after the 800-metre world champion, who died in a car accident 12 years ago. He believed money had been misused in the family member's name.
In 2018 the National Lottery Commission (NLC) approved a R15.9-million grant to Gauteng-based non-profit organisation Mavu Sports Development to build the stadium. At the sod-turning ceremony that year, the NLC's provincial manager, Matsobane Legodi, told community leaders the project would be completed within six months, by the end of June 2018.
Red flags from the start
The grant raised concerns from the outset. A project of this scale was awarded to a small NPO with no prior experience in large infrastructure initiatives. Mavu was also ineligible for additional funding, having received grants in 2016 and 2017. Awarding more funds in 2018 violated the statutory 12-month cooling-off period under the National Lotteries Act.
The grant was also made in terms of the highly controversial proactive funding model, which allowed senior NLC officials to override checking mechanisms and approve funding for projects where money often ended up in the hands of individuals.
Construction of the Mbulaheni Mulaudzi stadium only started more than a year after the grant was awarded. By March 2019, a single combi court was under construction. By June 2019, groundwork had begun on the athletics track, and between July 2019 and March 2020, the concrete base for the track was laid. By January 2022, the fence around the track appeared complete and grass had begun growing. Since then, little progress has been made.
Local residents believe much of the money spent on the Muduluni project has now gone to waste. Poor security left the facility vulnerable to vandalism and theft. A Limpopo Mirror visit on 10 November this year found the fence vandalised, the borehole pump missing, and cables from the water tank cut.
Once meant to honour an Olympic champion, the site now features broken goalposts, no lawn, no stands, and is reportedly used both as a hideout for criminals and grazing land for cattle.
A project meant to make a difference
The stadium was intended to provide sporting facilities for Muduluni youths and neighbouring villages, an area that has produced players such as Vusi Kharivhe, Iva Mahangwaha, Phumudzo Manenzhe and Jeffrey Tshifhango.
Local sports teams say the lack of facilities prevents young athletes from developing professionally. Residents had hoped the stadium would help keep young people off the streets, reducing crime and drug use.
Community member Nelson Maba expressed frustration at the stalled project. "Very little of the grant has been spent on the stadium," he said. The community wrote several letters to Thovhele Vho-Vele Kutama, the Makhado Municipality and Mavu, requesting the project be completed, but received no response.
"We are pleading with Mavu Sports Development to come and finish the stadium because our kids don't have a place to play their sport," Maba said. He accused Mavu of "vanishing" and refusing to communicate with the community.
"We were all elated, hoping that the legacy of the late sports star would be reflected in the sports field. Little did we know that only shabby work would be delivered. Our biggest fear now is that this is money down the drain," he said, adding that an investigation into corruption and mismanagement was needed.
Makonde Makhomisani, who discovered Mulaudzi's talent, also criticised the abandoned project. "We don't have any proper stadium, and we expected this one to be completed. The youth need a place to gather, as some have turned to alcohol and drugs," he said.
He added that those responsible should be held accountable. "Mulaudzi's name has been dented. You cannot just spend millions in his name and take it away. The community is waiting to see our kids succeed."
Mavu Sports Development responds
Mavu spokesperson Kirsten Nematandani said the organisation had never received the full funding it had requested. "We received R15.9 million, far less than needed. We applied for additional funding but were denied," he said. He added that an IAAF-accredited athletics track cost R24 million in 2019 and now exceeds R30 million. Mavu had applied for R42 million but the NLC declined further funding.
Nematandani said the project depended on assistance from the Makhado Municipality, which was responsible for maintenance and security under the Municipal Structures Act. "We engaged stakeholders and made expectations clear, but municipalities do not always take their responsibilities seriously," he said.
He added that Mavu had sought additional funding from multiple sources, including local and provincial municipalities and the Special Economic Zone. "We doubt any project of this nature has held so many presentations and stakeholder meetings. We still wish for this project to succeed," Nematandani said.